Lawmakers want information on Facebook courting kids

Facebook has told members of Congress virtually nothing about whether and how it might open its doors to children under age 13.

Amid reports last month that Facebook could soon permit access for the 12-and-under set, Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas) asked Facebook for more information about the data the social network could someday collect from kids and whether it would be used for ads or shared with third parties.

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But Facebook has avoided spelling out any of its plans. The lawmakers released a letter Friday from the company dated June 25 that merely repeats Facebook’s previous statement that it has “made no final decision whether to change our current approach to prohibiting children under 13 from joining Facebook.”

Instead, Facebook promised to work with lawmakers if it decides to go that route. And the company devoted the letter to describing its work to keep child predators off the website, thwart bullying and provide resources to parents and minors.

Markey and Barton, however, aren’t satisfied.

“Children are not commodities, and their personal information should not be harvested to yield ad revenue for Facebook and its hungry shareholders,” Markey’s office said in a statement Friday, noting he would continue to monitor Facebook as it weighs whether to allow children under age 13.

Barton acknowledged Facebook had no way of answering members’ questions as it hasn’t finalized its plans. But he still said he has “the same concerns” about its potential use of children’s data.

Facebook declined to comment further to POLITICO on Friday.

But in its letter to the lawmakers, Facebook said it recognizes “the age gate we use (like age gates used by most companies) does not always prevent children from registering.” Erin Egan, the company’s chief privacy officer, even cited recent reports in the lengthy reply that found a large number of underage users lie to gain access to the site.

The company also described the considerable work it does to find users under age 13 and “delete the accounts of children … once we become aware of them.”

Facebook even detailed one such tool — called “Social Reporting” — that allows minors bothered by “an unflattering or embarrassing photo” or threatening content to notify Facebook, an adult or the person who posted the content that they would like it removed. Markey and Barton said the feature is similar to their proposal for an online “eraser button,” though the two concepts are different.

Readers' Comments (1)

Facebook should open up their doors (officially) to children under 13. It's a parents responsibility to monitor what their children see on the internet. Don't like ads, then install an ad blocker on your home computer.